Ireland Differential Rent Calculator 2026
Calculate Your Social Housing Rent for All 31 Local Authorities
Differential rent is the means-tested rent charged by Irish local authorities to social housing tenants. Your rent depends on your council, household income, and family composition. Every council uses a different formula, so your rent can vary significantly from one area to the next.
Four Simple Steps
Get your estimated differential rent in under two minutes.
Select Your Local Authority
Choose your council from all 31 local authorities. Each has its own rent scheme with different rates and thresholds.
Enter Household Details
Tell us about subsidiary earners, dependent children, and whether anyone in the household is over 66.
Input Your Weekly Income
Enter the principal earner's weekly income and any subsidiary earners' weekly income.
Get Your Estimate
View your estimated weekly, monthly, and annual rent with a full breakdown of how it was calculated.
Calculate Your Differential Rent
Select your local authority, enter your details, and get an instant estimate.
Select Your Local Authority
Choose the council where your social housing is located.
Household Details
Tell us about the people in your household.
Weekly Income
Enter the principal earner's weekly income before tax.
Your Estimated Weekly Rent
EUR 0.00/week
Based on rent scheme
Calculation Breakdown
What If My Circumstances Change?
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Request a Demo →All Local Authority Rent Schemes at a Glance
Side-by-side comparison of differential rent rates, minimums, and deductions across all 31 councils.
Dublin
| Council | Rate | Min Rent | Disregard | Child Deduction | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin City | 18% | EUR 35.82 | EUR 55 | EUR 3/child | April 2026 |
| Fingal | 12% | EUR 22 | None | None | 2013 |
| South Dublin | 10% (Lowest) | EUR 27.40 | None | None | January 2025 |
| Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown | 16% | EUR 22 | EUR 35 | EUR 1/child | January 2026 |
Leinster (excl. Dublin)
| Council | Rate | Min Rent | Disregard | Child Deduction | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicklow | 3% (Lowest Rate) | EUR 30 | EUR 188 | EUR 5/child | 2026 |
| Kildare | 20% | None | EUR 135 | EUR 1.50/child | November 2019 |
| Meath | 25% | EUR 28 | EUR 152 | EUR 4/child | January 2026 |
| Louth | 11%-16% (Graduated) | EUR 25 | None | EUR 15/child | 2019 |
| Wexford | 24% | EUR 30 | EUR 171 | EUR 1.75/child | July 2019 |
| Carlow | 20% | EUR 27 | EUR 60 | EUR 3/child | 2016 |
| Kilkenny | 16.67% / 20% (Tiered) | EUR 28 | EUR 38 | EUR 1.50/child | 2020 |
| Laois | 22% | EUR 24 | EUR 75 | EUR 10/child | May 2026 |
| Westmeath | 22% | EUR 26 | EUR 90 | EUR 13/child | February 2026 |
| Longford | 22.5% (Highest) | EUR 30 | EUR 50 | None | 2023 |
| Offaly | 22% | EUR 25 | EUR 70 | EUR 10/child | 2022 |
Munster
| Council | Rate | Min Rent | Disregard | Child Deduction | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterford | 13%-21% (Graduated) | EUR 30 | None | None | February 2026 |
| Cork City | 15% | EUR 24.30 | EUR 39 | EUR 20/child | April 2019 |
| Cork County | 21% | EUR 25 | EUR 140 | EUR 3/child | February 2021 |
| Kerry | 20% | EUR 10.50 | EUR 140 | EUR 2/child | 2017 |
| Limerick | 14.5% / 19% (Tiered) | EUR 30 | None | EUR 12/child | February 2020 |
| Clare | 17% | EUR 30 | EUR 40 | EUR 7/child | Current |
| Tipperary | 20% | EUR 20 | EUR 200 | EUR 2.30/child | July 2018 |
Connacht
| Council | Rate | Min Rent | Disregard | Child Deduction | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galway City | 20% (17% OAP) | EUR 46 | None | None | October 2025 |
| Galway County | 20% | EUR 25 | EUR 100 | EUR 1.50/child | Current |
| Mayo | 16% | EUR 30 | None | None | January 2018 |
| Sligo | 20% (Band system) | EUR 22 | EUR 179 | EUR 2/child | January 2020 |
| Roscommon | 10% / 20% (Tiered) | EUR 20 | None | EUR 10/child | June 2024 |
| Leitrim | 18% | EUR 40 | None | None | May 2026 |
Ulster (Republic of Ireland)
| Council | Rate | Min Rent | Disregard | Child Deduction | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donegal | 14.3% / 16.7% (Tiered) | EUR 17 (Lowest) | None | EUR 2.20/child | January 2026 |
| Monaghan | 20% | EUR 46 | EUR 50 | EUR 4/child | September 2025 |
| Cavan | 12.5% / 16% (Tiered) | EUR 30 | None | EUR 7/child | November 2025 |
Key Highlights
- Lowest rate: South Dublin at 10% flat (Wicklow at 3% above a EUR188 threshold)
- Highest rate: Longford at 22.5%, followed by Meath at 25% above EUR152
- Best child deduction: Cork City at EUR20/week per child
- Lowest minimum rent: Donegal at EUR17/week
- Most recently updated: Dublin City, Waterford, Meath, Westmeath, Donegal, Leitrim, Laois (all 2026)
- Highest minimum rent: Galway City at EUR46/week and Leitrim at EUR40/week
- Graduated bands: Waterford (7 bands) and Louth (4 bands) use income-based band systems
Differential Rent Rates by Council
Key information for the most-searched local authorities in Ireland.
Dublin City Council
18% of assessable income above a EUR55 weekly threshold. Minimum rent of EUR35.82 per week. EUR3 deduction per dependent child. Subsidiary earners capped at EUR40/week.
Cork City Council
15% after EUR39/person allowances. Highest child deduction in Ireland at EUR20/week per child. Subsidiary earners capped at EUR23.80/week. Minimum rent EUR24.30.
Fingal County Council
12% flat rate with no income threshold or disregard. Minimum rent EUR22/week. No child deductions. Rate increase to 14.5% pending Q2 2026.
South Dublin County Council
Lowest rate in Ireland at 10% of total household income plus EUR3. Minimum rent EUR27.40/week. No child deductions. Income is aggregated across all earners.
Galway City Council
20% flat rate (17% for those over 66). Minimum rent approximately EUR46/week (20% of social welfare rate). Child deductions removed. All household income is pooled. No separate subsidiary calculation.
Limerick City and County Council
Two-tier system: 14.5% up to EUR275/week, 19% above that threshold. EUR30 minimum rent. No maximum rent (removed in 2023). EUR12 deduction per child.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown
16% of income above EUR35 weekly threshold. Minimum rent EUR22/week. Subsidiary earners charged 11% above EUR35 with no cap. EUR1 deduction per child.
Meath County Council
EUR28 base on first EUR152, then 25% of income above that threshold. Minimum EUR28/week, maximum EUR195/week. EUR4 deduction per child. EUR10 flat per subsidiary earner.
Kildare County Council
EUR15 base on first EUR135, then 20% of income above that threshold. No minimum rent. EUR1.50 deduction per child. EUR10 flat per subsidiary earner. Over-65 1-bed max EUR25.
Kerry County Council
EUR15.50 base plus 20% of income above EUR140/week. Minimum rent varies by property size (EUR10.50 to EUR15.50). Maximum rent capped at EUR50 to EUR83 by number of bedrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about differential rent in Ireland.
What is differential rent?
+Differential rent is the means-tested rent charged by local authorities in Ireland to tenants of social housing. The amount you pay is calculated based on your household income, the number of dependants, and the specific rent scheme of your local authority. It is called "differential" because the rent varies (differs) according to your ability to pay.
Why does my rent differ from someone in a different council area?
+Each of Ireland's 31 local authorities sets its own differential rent scheme. There is no single national formula. Rates range from 3% (Wicklow) to 22.5% (Longford), and councils apply different income thresholds, child deductions, and subsidiary earner rules. This means two households with identical incomes can pay very different rents depending on where they live.
What income is assessed for differential rent?
+Most councils assess the principal earner's gross weekly income from all sources, including employment, social welfare payments, pensions, and other regular income. Some councils also assess a portion of subsidiary earners' income (other working adults in the household). Specific income disregards, thresholds, and deductions vary by council.
What is a subsidiary earner?
+A subsidiary earner is any additional income-earning adult living in the household who is not the principal (main) earner. This typically includes a spouse, partner, or adult children who are working. Most councils charge a reduced rate on subsidiary income, and many cap the maximum contribution per subsidiary earner.
How often is my rent reviewed?
+Local authorities typically review differential rent at least once a year, though this varies by council. You are also required to report any significant changes in your income or household composition. If your income increases or decreases, or if someone moves in or out of the household, your rent may be recalculated. Always contact your council to report changes promptly.
Is there a maximum rent I can be charged?
+Some councils set a maximum rent cap. For example, Meath caps rent at EUR195/week, Carlow at EUR180/week, Kerry at EUR83/week, and Galway County at EUR130/week. However, many councils have no maximum cap, meaning your rent can continue to rise with your income. Check your specific council's rent scheme for details.
How accurate is this calculator?
+This calculator provides an estimate based on published rent schemes from each local authority. Actual rent may differ due to individual circumstances, discretionary adjustments by the council, or updates to schemes that have not yet been published. We update the calculator regularly, but you should always confirm your rent directly with your local authority. This tool is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute a legal or financial determination of your rent.
For Housing Providers and Local Authorities
Rentalize automates differential rent calculations, tenant income assessments, and rent reviews for all 31 local authorities. Replace spreadsheets and manual processes with a single platform that handles every council's scheme.
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